ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Are the All Blacks a dirty team? Fans divided after battle in Dublin

BY davidharper  ·  Tuesday Nov 22, 2016

On Saturday, the All Blacks were able to bounce back against Ireland with a ferocious win in Dublin. However, the match provided a few moments that have given plenty of fuel to those claiming the All Blacks are ill-disciplined at best, and dirty and deliberately dangerous at worst.

As you’ve seen by now, the All Blacks bounced back from their loss in Chicago to subdue the Irish on their home soil. It was an encounter that showcased an amazing display of defence from the World Champs, and a physical game plan from the Irish that allowed for another great contest.

However, the match was certainly not without controversy. 

Did Beauden Barrett ground the ball? Should Sam Cane have been shown a yellow card?

As can be expected from coaches to fans, reactions are split down the middle, as these two videos show. Many Northern Hemisphere media outlets are convinced the All Blacks have ceded some kind of “high moral ground”. New Zealand media is responding in kind.

Coach Steve Hansen seems to at least agree with the Malakai Fekitoa citing, but plans on contesting the Sam Cane citing. “Fekitoa’s challenge was clumsy and high, but we will defend Sam’s. We believe it was a head clash.”

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney certainly let his feelings be known as well. “I don’t think we’re whinging at all. I think the facts speak for themselves. He (the citing officer) actually picked out 12 different incidents, of which 11 of them involved New Zealand, and one involved Ireland, which we’ve subsequently been cleared of.

“The evidence is very clear that Robbie [Henshaw] took a shoulder to the jaw, which knocked him unconcious,” Kearney said (video below).

For their part, the players seem ready to move on. Jamie Heaslip admits that these things will sometimes happen in rugby. “It’s a contact sport. People get hurt. I’m not concered at all…”

Both Malakai Fekitoa and Sam Cane are set for hearings on Tuesday after being cited for high-tackles made in Saturday’s test match. These coming after the directive from World Rugby for officials to crack down on dangerous play above the shoulder.

Whatever is decided in the court of public opinion, the greater Rugby world has just been given another great rivalry going forward.

Are the All Blacks dirty or just playing physical Rugby? Are the Irish right to voice concern or should they adjust and move on?

UPDATE: Cane cleared, Fekitoa suspended

Kearney’s comments pick up around the 6:20 mark.

credit: The Tight Five Rugby Union/ Irish Rugby TV
photo:
 STICKLAND/INPHO/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 259 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All